Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-01-20
BE CHARITABLE.
Our Estimate of Other Peoples Motives
Some Index of Our Own Character-Th,
Real Measure Of a Man.

Dc SVt%nt A0ICs
Our Estimate of Other Peoples Motives
Some Index of Our Own Characteristic
Real Measure of a Man.
Character is what the man is. Reputa-
Ion is what the man is supposed to be.
Character is the mans real self.
Reputation is the popular opinion of the
mans real self. Popular opinion is the
aggregate of individual opinions. In
dividual opinions are based on in
dividual judgments. Individual judg-
ments of character are inevitably in
fluenced both by the characteristics of
the individual Judging, and by his
mental attitude toward the one judged.
Hence every character is judged very
differently by different persons. even
when the same basis of fact is recognize
ed by all alike. In other words. char
acter is judged. and SO reputation is af-
fectcd. according to the spirit and the
disposition of individual observers who
form and express their personal judg-
ment in the premises.
Conduct is the expression of charac-
ter. Conduct is commonly the basis of
an individual judgment of character.
But conduct is always capable of two
opposing estimates. 1t may even be
said that no single action, nor any one
course of action. will command the
same judgment from all observers; that
every line of conduct is liable to be
judged as indicative Of worth or of un-
worth of character, of nobleness or of
ignobIeness of personality. according as
it is viewed in the light of the observers
habit of mind toward the right. or again
of his sympathy with or antagonism to
the person whom it represents.
A young King goes among his people
in the infected districts in a time of
pestilence. enduring personal discom-
forts. Drawing the danger of death and
speaking words of loving cheer to the
panic-strickcn. One observer says:
''How noble! There's royalty in ma
turc. as well as royalty in station!"
Another says: He is shrewd.
His risk is no greater than if he
were physician; but his gain is ire
mendous. He is simply looking out for
his kingly interests" A candidate for
the Presidency makes liberal contri-
button in behalf of needy community.
or he speaks warm words in behalf of a
worthy cause. or he goes out of his way
to do personal deed of ministry to =
family or to an individual requiring
such assistance. A political supporter
sees in this an evidence of his candi-
dates personal worth. A political OPP
pOnent sees in it an unworthy attempt
to influence votes by show of we'll
doing. A railroad accident occurs. A
young physician who is on the train. or
who lives in the vicinity. springs to the
help of victims of the disaster. and ex-
erts himself untiringly in tneir behalf.
with no prospect of Il fee for rendered
service. One lOoker-on SAYS that that
physician has acted on the prompt
ing of a generous impulse. Another
says that the physicians prime
motive was good advertising
of his professional services. So in
every line of personal endeavor. where
one conduct is made basis of repu-
tation. or is looked ut as an indication
of personal character, on the part of
one who is prominently before the pub
lie. Nor than one man of National
eminence in our country has even hesi-
tated. on an occasion. to make a con-
fession Of his personal faith by openly
connecting himself with the Church of
Christ, lest this step. which some would
commend most heartily. should be
deemed by Others the selfish prompting
of desire for a reputation rs .'Caris-
tan statesman Nor is there any
course of conduct which may not, with
some FEASIBILITY, be looked upon by
two different observers as indicative of
two widely different personal charac-
tiers.
The real measure of mans charac-
ter is what he is at his best, in the
direction of his idealward striving. 1t
is what he seeks to be, rather than what
he is At his best every man Is below
his highest ideal; and below his best
there is in every man that which is
quite unworthy of him. and which he is
pcrs;s:ently struggling away from.
Traces Of q mans lower nature are